Wood Species

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Wood Species Used for Our Amish Furniture

When you think of wood furniture, you probably aren’t picturing a specific type of wood. In reality, though, the wood used to make the furniture you bring into your home makes a big difference when it comes to color, style and overall appearance.

That’s not to say one Amish furniture wood species is better than another. The ones we use here at AmishOutletStore.com have certain advantages. When it comes time for you to choose which wood species you want for your furniture, you should understand the pros of each one and why it might look right in your home. Use our wood species guide below to determine the best pick for your home.

Types of Wood Species: Red Oak

Red Oak is not, in fact, all red. It can be any shade, from warm brown to deep cream, but it is streaked with red — which gives the wood its name. This wood is durable and perfect for everyday use. It’s often employed to make furniture that gets a lot of daily use, such as kitchen chairs and tables. Red Oak can be stained to be very light colored to very dark.

Types of Wood Species: Q.S. White Oak

White Oak has a lot of similarities to Red Oak. It’s equally hard, if not harder and perfect for everyday use, and it takes on stain easily. White Oak resists water better than most woods, and you will find many ships with hulls made from it. The “Q.S.” stands for quarter-sawn, which is a way of cutting the wood at a 90-degree angle to reduce cupping and highlight its growth rings. Like Red Oak, it’s not actually white. A slight green tone runs through the wood which is visible in a natural state. Once it is stained, it has beautiful swirly and tight grain markings.

Types of Wood Species: Rustic Q.S. White Oak

There’s little difference between Rustic Q.S. White Oak and Q.S. White Oak. The main variance is that the Rustic wood is a bit rougher and less refined than the other. Rustic Q.S. White Oak will have knots, streaks, or mineral and color variations not found in regular Q.S. White Oak. It shares the same toughness and coloring. Both types of White Oak are used in a variety of furniture, and both are quarter-sawn. They each have an antique appearance.

Types of Wood Species: Walnut

You may know Walnut is used to make guns, but were you aware it’s also a popular wood for Amish furniture? The wood’s distinctive qualities are how hard and heavy it is. There are two main colors — a chocolate and a creamy sapwood. If you purchase walnut furniture, it will likely be unstained because the wood does not take stain well. This is typically a darker wood.

Types of Wood Species: Cherry

Cherry is one of the least-dense common wood species. Many woodworkers find it preferable to use over White Oak, as they can carve it with minimal effort. You can recognize the wood by the pinkish undertone and circular grains, as well as its smooth texture. Cherry gets darker with age, changing with long-term exposure to sunlight. Amish furniture makers value Cherry’s resistance to warping, and it’s often used for office and bedroom furniture.

Types of Wood Species: Rustic Cherry

Rustic Cherry shares many similarities with Cherry, with less refinement. You can see the knots prominently on the wood, giving it the rustic look. Rustic Cherry may come in a variety of colors, including deep red and brown. You can even find it in white. Furniture makers often employ it on pieces they want to give an old-time look. Rustic Cherry has the same qualities as good Cherry wood, and both stain very well.

Types of Wood Species: Brown Maple

Brown Maple, like Cherry, tends to be soft, and it can be easily scratched. Most people can spot Brown Maple due to its distinctive color in raw wood. It has streaks of tan and white running through the brown. The wood stains well and may be finished to resemble walnut or cherry, a more expensive type of wood. Brown Maple is often used in painted pieces.

Types of Wood Species: Hard Maple

Hard Maple goes by several names — it’s also called Rock Maple and Sugar Maple. The color of the wood varies greatly, from reddish to cream. It displays a curly grain pattern and even texture. Furniture makers like this wood because it’s easy to work with and is widely available. Due to the hardness of this wood, we can only finish this wood type in a clear coat finish which is a very light creamy color.

Types of Wood Species: Wormy Maple

Also referred to as Ambrosia Maple, this wood is part of the soft maple family. This makes it slightly easier to work with than harder woods. It gets its discoloration from the ambrosia beetle, which bores through the wood and leaves behind a fungus that affects the coloring. Many people love this distinctive appearance for their furniture.

Types of Wood Species: Hickory

If you want a hard and sturdy wood, Hickory stands out. It can withstand a great deal of pressure, bending but not breaking. The wood’s natural light and dark colors contrast remarkably, creating a dramatic look that becomes even more distinctive when you stain it. You can find Hickory in a lot of furniture, including bedroom sets and living room couches.

What Types of Wood Are Best for Your Furniture?

Which type of wood should you choose for your furniture? We offer you the option to customize all of our wooden pieces with a choice of wood species. Depending on the look you desire, you may decide to match your existing décor or find something new and different. You really can’t go wrong when you can pick your own wood.

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